Copy-holder for type-writing machines.



'No. 722,365. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903. H.L.LANPHEAR. COPY HOLDER FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 26, 1902.

PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

H. L. LANPHEAR.

COPY-HOLDER FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

No. 722,365- PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

H. L. LANPHEAR.

COPY HOLDER FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 26. 1902.

I0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3" giraaz/ll lanpizewz; avwawcm UNITED STATES PATENT HIRAM LESTER LANPHEAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE FISHER BOOK TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

COPY-HOLDER FOR TYPE-WRlTlNG MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,365, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed June 26,1902.

T0 (oZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM LESTER LAN- PHEAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Copy-Holder for Type-Writing Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a novel copyholder for type-writing machines, and has special reference to a holder designed particularly for use in banks to facilitate the manipulation of checks or other commercial paper by an operator engaged, for instance, in preparing a type-written record of them.

The object of the invention is to providea simple and inexpensive holder having one compartment for the edgewise support of a number of checks to permit the data appearing thereon to be copied and a second compartment into which the checks may be turned as they are copied with their reverse sides uppermost in order that the operator may examine the indorsements on each check after it has been duly entered upon the record.

A further object of the invention is to provide the first-named compartment with means for preventing the checks from falling from their upright positions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide for the attachment of the holder to the type-writing machine and for the folding of said holder into small compass in order to permit the machine to be covered in the usual manner when notin use without necessitating the detachment of the copy-holder therefrom.

Other objects of the invention and various novel features of construction will appear during the succeeding description of that embodiment of the invention which for the purpose of this application is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a Fisher type-Writing machine, showing the copy-holder applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the opposite side of the machine and showing the holder in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the holder with a number of checks therein. Fig. 4 is Serial No. 113,295. (No model.)

a detail view illustrating the arrangementof one of the stops for retaining the hinged sections of the holder in proper positions; and Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating a modified form of mechanism for holding the checks in upright positions.

Like numerals of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

It will be apparent as the description of the device progresses that it possesses considerable merit irrespective of its use in connection with type-writing machines. It is designed, however, with special reference to the equipment of what is known in the art as a Fisher typewriting machine and has therefore been illustrated in such connection in the drawings. The Fisher type-writer includes a machine-frame 1, designed to travel longitudinally of a flat platen, (not illustrated,) and a traveling carriage 2, supported by the frame 1 and designed to move transversely of the platen. The carriage 2 supports the printing mechanism (not shown) with the exception of the keys 3, which project above a casing 4c, constituting an element of the carriage. The keyboard of the Fisher machine is located at the front of' the casing 4, and the rear portion of the latter is therefore well adapted for the support of the copy-holder.

The copy-holder is preferably constructed of thin metal strips arranged in a manner to be explained hereinafter to produce a light open structure capable of supporting a large number of checks.- The holder is formed with two longitudinal compartments 5 and 6, arranged parallel and having their bottoms 7 and 8 arranged in different planes-that is to say, the bottom 7 of the compartment 5 is located in a lower plane than the bottom 8 of the compartment 6 and is-slightly inclined,

'as shown in Fig. 3, so that the backs of the checks disposed therein will be more easily observed by the operator. The rear upper compartment 6 is designed for the support of a number of checks a in an approximately upright position, said checks having their lower edges resting upon the bottom 8. The retention of the checks in this position is necessary in order that the operator may copy the data appearing on their faces. As each entry is completed the front check in the rear compartment 6 is turned down into the lower front compartment 5, its position being thus reversed, so that as the check lies fiat on the bottom of the compartment 5 the indorsement upon the back of the check will be. exposed to view to permit the inspection thereof. The front side of the compartment 5 is defined by a series of uprights 9, which retain the checks in place while permitting a clear view thereof, and the front side of the rear compartment 6 is defined by a series of similar uprights 10, which likewise retain and permit the inspection of the checks in the rear compartment. It will be understood that the rear compartment 6 must be of sufficient width to accommodate a large number of checks, and as a result when only a small number of checks are left therein they will have a tendency to drop down upon the bottom of the compartmentinstead of being retained in their proper upright positions. To avoid this, I provide within the compartment 6 suitable means for holding the checks upright. The preferred embodiment of such means is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings and consists in the provision of vertical projections or stops 11, extending from the bottom 8 and producing a plurality of minor subdivisions within which the checks are received. These projections or stops are arranged in alined series disposed longitudinally of the compartment and are preferably directly in rear of the uprights 10, constituting the front of the compartment. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention only one series of such stops is provided; but it is evident that, if necessary, the compartment 6 might be formed with any desired number of subdivisions by providing more than one series of stop projections therein. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be noted that the checks in the rear subdivision of the upper compartment 6 will rest against the back wall 12 of the holder, and their lower edges will be prevented by the stops 11 from slipping forward, so that said checks will be held upright. The checks in the forward subdivision of the compartment will rest against the checks in the rear subdivision, and as their lower edges will be retained by the uprights it will be seen that no matter how many or how few checks are in the compartment they will be held in proper position to be viewed by the operator.

The construction thus far described constitutes a complete embodiment of my invention in one aspect, since a copy-holder arranged, as stated, to facilitate the copying or recording of checks or the like and the inspection of the indorsements appearing on the reverse sides or backs thereof is novel irrespective of the specific construction of the holder or of its attachment to the machine. Inasmuch, however, as the holder extends back from the carriage a considerable distance I have made provision for the folding thereof, so that it may be folded into small compass when not in use to permit the machine to be covered in the usual manner. One way of accomplishing this result is shown in the drawings, and consists in constructing the holder in two separate sectionsa front section 13, rigidly secured to the carriage, and a rear section 14:, hinged at its front edge to the rear edge of the front section, as by one or more hinges 15, preferably located just beyond the rear edge of the casing 4.-so that when the holder is not in use the rear section thereof may be folded over the front section, as indicated in Fig. 2, the rigid retention of the rear section when swung back to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 being efiected by stop members 16, extending from the rear section 14 to a point in advance of the hinges 15' and disposed to contact with the under side of the front section 13 of the holder.

The general characteristics of the device having been described, the preferred specific construction thereof may now be noted.

The front section is composed of parallel front and rear strips 17 and 18, connected by transversely-angular end plates 19 and 20 and by transverse bottom strips 21, arranged in spaced relation to constitute the bottom 7 of the front compartment 5 and having their front ends bent up to form the uprights 9. The front strip 17 is secured to the top of the casing 4 by screws 22, and the rear strip 18 is similarly secu red by screws 23, which, however, instead of passing through the strip proper are passed through pendent feet 24 formed in the strip 18 to retain it in a slightlyelevated position in order to secure the desired inclination of the bottom 7 of the front compartment, and also for the purpose of permitting the stop members 16 to swing into and out of engagement with the strip Without striking the casing.

The rear section 14 of the holder comprises the longitudinal strips 25 and 26, disposed in different planes, and the transverse strips 27, 28, 29, and 30, bent at their front ends to form the angular stop members 16 (see Fig.

4) and also bent to form the rear portion of the bottom 7, the rear wall or side of the front compartment 5, the uprights 10, the bottom 8 of the compartment 6, the stops or projections 11, and the back wall 12. (See Fig. l.) The strips 27 and 30 are preferably connected by an integral portion 81, constituting the upper. edge of the back wall 12 and serving to connect the upper rear ends of the strips 28 and 29. The upper edge of the compartment 6 is formed by a rectangular strip 32, having its end portions riveted to the Vertically-disposed ends 33 and 34 of-the longitudinal strips 25 and 26, and also riveted to those portions of the transverse strips 27 28, 29, and 30 which are bent upright to constitute the back wall of the holder. In order that the back wall may not prevent ready access to the upper corners of the checks in the rear compartment when their transfer to the front compartment is necessary, that portion of the back wall which extends above the strip 32 terminates short of the sides of the holder and has its end edges inclined to leave open upper corners. To further facilitate the handling of the checks, it is desired to cut away or leave open the upper front corners of the holder. For this reason no uprights are provided at the opposite ends of the strip 17.

The upper edges of the side walls of the front compartment 5 are formed by a pair of angular strips 35 and 36, upwardly and rearwardly inclined from the ends of the front strip 17 to the upturned ends 37 of the strip 18, the rear portions of the angular strips 35 and 36 being horizontally disposed and hav ing terminal hooks 38 for the reception of the vertical ends 33 of the strip 25 when the rear section is swung back to its operative position. It will be noted that these hooks 38 are carried by the front section of the holder and that by their engagement with the rear section thereof they serve to augment the stop members 16 in the retention of the rear section in its proper position when swung back.

By reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the hinges 15 are formed by twisting the contiguous ends of the transverse strips into vertical planes and connecting them by horizontal pintles, as shown in Fig. 4, the extremities of certain of these twisted ends constituting the stop members 16.

The provision of means for retaining the checks approximately upright in the rear compartment is considered one of the importaut features of the invention, irrespective of the particular form of means employed. For instance,'while in Fig. 1 I have shown the upstanding projections or stops 11 as constituting, in effect, a partition subdividing the compartment into minor subdivisions, other mechanism-as, for instance, that shown in Fig. 5-might be substituted therefor. In the latter figure a strip 39 is disposed longitudinally of the rear compartment 6 and is urged rearwardly to retain the checks in proper position by one or more springs 40, encircling one or more rods 41, secured to the strip 39 and passed through one or more of the uprights 10, constituting an abutment for the rear ends of the springs.

It may be proper to state at this point that while the copy-holder described has been designed particularly for use in banks to facilitate the manipulation of checks and other commercial paper its usefulness is by no means confined to such connection, as it has been found to be a valuable adjunct in the transaction of business in railroad-offices, dry-goods stores, $50., as it facilitates the handling, copying, and recording of way-bills, charge-slips, or checks or other copy, as the tilting or turning thereof into the front compartment furnishes a convenient and quick method of disposing of them, whether or not it is desired to inspect their reverse sides. It should also be stated that while the construction of the holder from a number of metal strips, as described, is, perhaps, preferable, it is by no means essential, as wirenetting or other like material may be employed with good results in the construction of the frame.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have producedanovel copy-holder attached to the traveling carriage of a type-writing machine for movement therewith and comprising separate compartments in which checks or the like are designed to be supported in a manner to facilitate the recording thereof and the inspection of the indorsements appearing on their reverse sides; but while the present embodiments of the invention are thought at this time to be preferable I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the structural details defined, as, on the contrary, I reserve the right to effect such changes, modifications, and variations of the illustrated structure as may be properly embraced within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is 1. A copy-holder comprising a frame divided to form a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks or the like, and a front compartment into which said checks maybe turned from the rear compartment and supported flatwise.

2. A copy-holder comprising a frame sub divided to form an elevated rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks or the like, and a depressed front compartment into which said checks may be turned and supported fiatwise.

3. A copy-holder comprising a frame subdivided to form a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks or the like and a front compartment into which said checks may be turned and supported fiatwise, and means for retaining the checks in the rear compartment in approximately upright positions.

4. A copy-holder comprising a frame subdivided to form an elevated rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks or the like, and a depressed front compartment into which said checks may be turned and supported fiatwise, and means located in the elevated rear compartments forretaining the checks in upright positions.

5. A copy-holder comprising a frame divided to form a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks and the like, and a front compartment into which said checks may be turned and supported fiatwise, said rear compartment being subdivided into minor subdivisions to prevent the checks therein from falling from their proper positions.

6. A copy-holder comprising a frame divided to form a rear compartment for the 7 frame composed of transverse and longitudinal metallic strips, bent to form the bottom, sides and ends of the holder, and also bent to define front and rear compartments in different horizontal planes.

23. A copy-holder comprising a light open frame composed of thin tranverse and longitudinal metal strips, bent to form the bottom, ends and back of the frame, said strips being also bent to define front and rear compartments and spaced uprights defining the front sides of said compartments.

24. A copy-holder comprising a light open frame composed of thin transverse and longitudinal metal strips, bent to form the bottom, ends and sides of the frame, and also bent to form front and rear compartments in different horizontal planes, and upstanding projections subdividing the rear compartment.

25. A copy-holder comprising a light open frame composed of thin transverse and longitudinal metal strips, bent to form the bottom, ends and back of the frame, said strips being also bent to define front and rear compartments, spaced uprights at the front sides of said compartments and spaced projections upstanding from the bottom of the rear compartment.

26. A copy-holder comprising folding sections each composed of spaced intersecting strips, said holder being divided to form a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks and the like, and a front compartment into which the checks may be turned from the rear compartment and supported flatwise.

27. A copy-holder comprising folding sections each composed of spaced intersecting strips, certain of the strips of one section having hinged connection with the other section.

28. A copyholder comprising hingedlyconnected sections composed of spaced intersecting strips, bent to define an elevated rear compartment and a depressed front compartment.

29. A copy holder comprising hingedlyconnected sections composed of spacedintersecting strips, a strip of one section being bent to form a retaining device engaging the other section to retain the sections in proper relative positions.

30. A copyholder comprising hingedly connected sections composed of spaced intersecting strips, certain strips of each section being bent to form retaining devices engaging the other section to retain said sections in proper relative positions.

31. A copy-holder comprising a frame divided to form a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks and the like, and a front compartment into which the checks are turned and supported flatwise, the bottom of the front compartment being upwardly inclined from its front edge.

32. The combination with a type-writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a foldable copy-holder movable with the carriage.

33. The combination with a type-writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a copy-holder movable with the carriage and foldable thereover.

34. The combination with a type-writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a copy-holder having a front section fixed to the carriage, and a rear section hinged to the front section and foldable thereover.

35. The combination with a type-writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a copyholder mounted on the carriage, and divided to form a rear compartment in which checks and the like are supported edgewise, and a depressed front compartment into which said. checks may be turned and supported fiatwise, the depression of the front compartment preventing the checks therein from hiding the checks in the rear compartment from the operator of the machine.

36. The combination with a type-Writing machine, of a copy-holder carried thereby and comprising a rear compartment for the edgewise support of checks and the like, and a front compartment into which the checks may be turned from the rear compartment and supported flatwise.

37. The combination with a type-Writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a copy-holder mounted on and movable with the carriage and including a foldable section extending rearwardly therefrom.

38. The combination with a type-writing machine including a traveling carriage, of a copy-holder mounted on and movable with the carriage, said copy-holder being formed with compartments disposed in different horizontal planes.

I 39. A copy-holder attachment for typewriting machines, comprising a frame provided with a bottom, sides, front and back, and divided to form two distinct compartments, one of said compartments being arranged in a lower plane than the other, and the entire frame being open at the top to permit ready access to either compartment, the partition separating the two compartments being of such height as to admit of the ready turning of the checks or other articles over said partition from the rear compartment into the front compartment.

40. A copy-holder comprising a frame divided to form a rear compartment in which checks or the like are supported edgewise, and a front compartment into which said checks may be turned and supported fiatwise, said holder having an open corner to facilitate the handling of the checks.

41. A copy-holder comprising a bottom, a rear wall and side walls, and divided to form front and rear compartments, one of said walls having its edge disposed at an angle to facilitate the handling of the copy.

42. A copy-holder comprising a bottom, a rear Wall and side Walls, and divided to form front and rear-compartments, the upper edges of the side walls being upwardly inclined from In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HIRAH LESTER LANPHEAR.

5 the front edge of the bottom, to provide said I \Vitnesses:

holder with open corners at its front to faeilil H. J. HALLE, tate the handling of the copy.

CHARLES L. H ERRICK. 

